Pulau Weh, Indonesia : UnderwaterAsia.info

NewsDesk Dive Guide Discovery Reef Spotter Imaging Dive Talk Directory

Underwater Asia. One Asia. One Passion. One Site.

Indonesia

Bangka & Sangihe

East Kalimantan

Dive Guide Home

Divespot Finder

Pulau Weh
Sumatra is not as famous for diving as some of the more easterly Indonesian Islands, but little Pulau Weh, sitting just off the northern tip is an exception. It's position means that it is not affecting by run-off from rivers, like much of Sumatra, so has great visibility. It also receives a lot of nutrient rich currents, which bring with it a kaleidoscope of life. In the waters around this special island, it is possible to encounter anything from Killer Whales to Mola Molas, plus a wealth of unusual smaller marine creatures.

Dive Spots
One of the most popular dive sites is Batee Tokong, or Central Rock. This rock drops down to around 22m from the surface, before sloping to around 40m. A huge variety of fish gather at this site and on any dive you are likely to encounter Tuna, Trevally, Barracuda, Turtles, Napoleons and plenty of reef fish. Larger visitors, such as Devil Rays & Mantas often cruise by too. The slope is carpeted with a garden of large Gorgonians and the site is known for huge numbers of Moray Eels, which occupy almost every crevice & overhang. On the exposed northern side of Batee Tokong is Shark Plateau - a sloping reef where you can encounter Blacktip & Whitetip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks & occasionally Silvertips. Further afield, Batee Meuduro is another great big-fish dive where Thresher Sharks are occasionally seen. Another popular site is The Canyon - a huge pinnacle that has been split in two, creating a central canyon. In addition to the thrill of swimming through this imposing canyon, this site also attracts many larger animals. Napoleon Wrasse, Bumphead Parrotfish, Turtles & Barracuda are sometimes joined by Sharks, Eagle Rays & Manta Rays. In addition to the main Canyon, there is a nice cave here to explore and also a beautiful underwater arch that it is possible to swim through. As with many of Pulau Weh's sites, Gorgonians and Morays are common. The currents around Pulau Weh creat good conditions for drift-diving, from gentle drifts to more adreneline fuelled dives. There is also some great wreck diving. For less experienced divers, there is small Tug Boat known as the Sabang Wreck that sits in only 14m. For serious wreck divers, a deep wreck known as the Sophie Rickmers is a must. This 130m German Steamship was deliberately sunk by her crew in WWII after being confiscated by the Dutch. She now lies in 60m of water, with her wheelhouse at 38m, meaning she is only suitable for very experienced divers and can only be dived as a decompression dive. Those who make the effort will be rewarded with a beautiful, intact shipwreck. The wreck is home to the rarely encountered black-spot Angelfish - a deep water species, as well as Seahorses, Batfish, Unicornfish, Groupers, Eagle Rays & of course many Morays. Occassionally, the plankton rich waters around the wreck attract Manta Rays & Whalesharks. There is also excellent shore diving just of the beaches of Iboh & Gapang where you can find a whole host of intriguing critters. At Gapang Beach, there are resident Hawksbill Turtles & even occasional Manta sightings.

Dive Bases
Currently, the best way to dive Pulau Weh is from the island, as Liveaboards do not usually pass this way. The area can be dived all year round.To avoid confusion, it is worth noting that the locals often refer to Pulau Weh as 'Sabang'.
Pulau Weh Find Dive Centres in Pulau Weh The tiny island of Pulau Weh, just off the coast of Sumatra is the most western point in Indonesia. It is a very laid-back, rustic island surrounded by superb diving. Dive There are a few simple, friendly dive shops that make daily trips to the numerous dive sites around the island. Stay There are simple bamboo bungalows on the island, but little in the way of more upmarket accommodation. The two beaches that have most of the accommodation are Gapang Beach and Iboh Beach. Travel The jumping off point for trips to Pulau Weh is Banda Aceh, which can be reached by air from Medan on Sumatra. It is also now possible to fly to Banda Aceh from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. From Penang in Malaysia, there is also a ferryto Medan. It is not possible to get a visa on arrival in Banda Aceh, so you must arrange this in advance from an Indonesia Embassy. Do Aside from diving, this is a lovely island for relaxing and enjoying the surrounding nature. It is not a very touristy, so there is little in the way of nightlife or entertainment.

	Southern Andaman	Thailand
	Thailand's southern Andaman sea boasts numerous beautiful islands & beaches, plus some great diving opportunities for both beginners & more experienced divers... Read more...

Top Budget Destinations	Hotspots
Are you on a shoe-string budget? There's no need to despair... South-east Asia has some of the cheapest diving in the world. Find out about some of the best places to dive on a budget with our guide to Asia's top budget destinations... Read more...

Underwater Asia. One Asia. One Passion. One Site.

About Advertise Contact Contributors Sitemap